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God's greatest gifts as I go…

auto shop

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. – (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV)

There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time. – (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ERV)

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on earth. – (Ecclesiastes 3:1, MSG)

I absolutely believe this to be true for everything, except for grading papers. I loathe having to sit down for long stretches of time, especially on the weekends, to grade tests or papers when I could be out doing just about anything else on earth. However, yesterday, I learned that even so, there is a time and place for grading that is not nearly as painful, and it was provided. My boys were off to work at a collegiate football game until the wee hours of the morning, and my love and his son were heading to his friend’s auto shop up north to work on a car that they were being given, and I had been invited to tag along. After being warned ahead of time that there was little to do, I had determined to bring along tests that needed to be graded, with the hope that I might make a dent in my pile. The warning I had been given was true, as the shop was way out in the middle of nowhere, and there was nothing to keep me from focusing on grading. There was even a chair, a desk space and a portable heater, so I was set up for success from the start. Though I took a few stretch breaks and drove into town to pick up dinner for all of us, by the time we left, I had managed to grade all but three of the ninety tests that had been in my stack! It may seem like a small thing, but for me, it is huge. His provision of a time and place for me to accomplish what I would have otherwise avoided, is a reminder of His concern in even the minute details of our lives. He will provide a right time for everything if we are asking, and will make a way, even if we feel there is no way. May we ever seek the One who is faithful in all things forever.

For all things there’s time,

A season for all;

God will make a way,

When on Him, we call.

Even in spaces,

That seem there’s no way;

In the Lord’s timing,

He’ll provide pathway.

Trust in His timing,

For God has a plan;

He knows all our needs,

By grace, understands.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, there is a time for everything, and that You will make a way where there seems to be no way, as we turn in trust to You. Thank You that You care about the seemingly small and mundane details of our lives. Forgive us for not seeking You in our struggles, even in the seemingly small or insignificant things. Teach us to trust You more, as You are faithful to make Your presence known and help us in our need. Show us how to love others in a way that provides help and hope, even in the things that seem small and insignificant, as often those are the things that matter most to the individual. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as with give You glory for Your faithful provision in all things great and small. Amen.